From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
19th Century Swedish Gold Gilt Trumeau Mirror with Griffins and Lion Heads
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Swedish trumeau mirror crafted in wood with a gold gilt finish set against a gray and blue painted background. The mirror features applied carved details throughout, inc...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
19th Century Small Empire Giltwood Trumeau Mirror with Painting
Located in Doylestown, PA
Unique 19th century Empire giltwood trumeau wall mirror with an original painted landscape on top, circa 1850. The tranquil scene in the manner of Hungarian landscape painter, Karoly...
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Trumeau Mirror, Pine & Giltwood, Restored
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent early 19th-century French Empire trumeau mirror, elegantly patinated in a deep forest green and delicately accented with soft grey and gilded detailing. This exceptiona...
Pine, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
An early 19th century painted and parcel-gilt Empire trumeau mirror with horse and chariot scene.
Wood
Swedish 19th Century Empire Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This Swedish Empire style trumeau exudes a simple refinement in its symmetry and composure. A low pediment sits atop a painted black and decorative gilt bronze-trimmed cornice. The t...
Ormolu
$2,450Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Gold Green Painted Giltwood Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
An old French Directory period, hand-carved trumeau mirror in gilded wood and painted in green, and its base in off-white. The mirror glass is origina...
Giltwood
French Empire Mahogany Trumeau Mirror with Bronze Doré Mounts-c. 1810-20
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Small period French Empire mahogany trumeau with gilt bronze mounts representing cornucopias, ivy and marguerite flowers. The mirror is of small proportions with original glass. A ...
Bronze
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century French Empire Giltwood Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A large French Empire carved and original water gilded Empire picture frame inset with a modern mirror, the corners of the deeply scooped sides set with palmettes.
Wood
French Empire Period Trumeau
Located in Pembroke, MA
Empire painted trumeau mirror with neoclassical detailing, including winged cherub, in dark green and gold.
Gesso, Mirror, Wood, Paint
French 19th Century Mahogany Petite Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century petite trumeau in the Empire taste made of gorgeous mahogany veneer. The top panel is outlined with brass trim and has a central brass rosette incorporating tre...
Brass
French Empire Style Ebonized and Painted Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire style ebonized and painted mirror. Antique French Empire style or Neoclassical style ebonized and painted vertical mirror from the 1920s. This versatile mirror has a Cl...
Wood
$7,777Sale Price|25% Off
Wood and Gilded Stucco Overmantel Mirror, Empire Period, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period overmantel mirror, in wood and stucco gilded with gold leaf. This mirror is framed by two antique style pilasters in wood and stucco, gilded with gold leaf. A rectangul...
Stucco, Wood
December 1874 Godey's Fashions Lithograph Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
December 1874 Godey's Fashions Lithograph Solid Mahogany Framed Trumeau Mirror. Measures 14.25" in width, 31" in height.
Mirror, Mahogany
Impressive Royal Early 19th Century German Empire Mirror
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare early 19th century German Empire giltwood trumeau mirror. The large rectangular plate surmounted by a scrolled pediment enriched with wines leaves and a central medallion encl...
Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Fabulous Empire trumeau mirror with Greco-Roman deity occupying the central frame. Bathed in gold gilt, she is carved with great reverence for beauty and projects off the frame in ¾ ...
Mirror, Wood
19th C. Empire Mahogany Frame Mirror W. an Inset Print after J.B. Camille Carot
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Empire Style Mahogany Frame Trumeau Mirror with an Inset Print Signed after Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. Mirror glass appears to be original. Original Hardwood backing. Measur...
Hardwood, Mahogany
German Wooden Biedermeier/ Empire Trumeau Mirror with Brass a Appliques
Located in Hamburg, DE
The pillar mirror, also called trumeau is from the German Biedermeier period. The frame is made of mahogany and root wood veneer. On the frame above the mirror is a mythological scen...
Wood, Mahogany
1956 Biswanger French Empire Carved Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1956 Biswanger Mirror Co. French Empire style Carved Mahogany Trumeau Mirror. Measures 16.5" in width, 33" in height.
Mirror, Mahogany
Napoleon I French Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Giltwood Trumeau with Beautiful Lyre Trophy
Giltwood, Mirror
Dutch 18th Century Painted Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This Dutch trumeau is a fantastic find, crafted during the 1790’s, it retains its original mercury mirror plate within a perfectly worn, amber-tone paint...
Glass, Mercury Glass, Mirror, Paint
French Empire Style Beige Painted Trumeau Mirror with Carved Gilt Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style beige painted trumeau mirror from the 20th century with gilded décor. This exquisite French Empire style trumeau mirror from the 20th century is a testament to ...
Wood, Giltwood
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror. Item features burl wood, beveled glass, stately bronze mounts including human figured feet, maiden face...
Bronze
Beautiful Empire French Period Trumeau
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful Empire French period Trumeau.
Mercury Glass, Gesso, Wood
Antique Empire Gilt Carved Painted Beech Wood Swedish Trumeau Wall Mirror
Located in Munich, DE
This beautiful beechwood trumeau features fine carvings of two columns and a basquet filled with fruit and flowers. The high relief woodwork is partially guilt and has retained it's ...
Beech
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$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Gilded Trumeau Mirror, Painted Wood, France, Circa 1860
Located in New Orleans, LA
Painted trumeau with gilded bas relief figures on pale blue field. All paint appears to be original. The mirror is not original.
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Large Empire Style Painted Gilt Wood Wall Mirror
Located in Berlin, DE
Late 19th century large empire style painted gilt wood wall mirror or trumeau Large rectangular mirror with architectural structure: the central field, consisting of a lower mirro...
Mirror, Wood
Empire Style Giltwood Looking Glass
Located in Vista, CA
Empire-style giltwood looking glass, the frame with projecting floral block-carved corners surrounding a carved frieze panel depicting griffins flanking an urn issuing a putti figure...
Mirror, Giltwood
Handsome 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Trumeau Mirror with Bronze Eagle
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful French Empire style mirror in mahogany with bronze eagle and good ormolu swag with great detail and nice size. #3521.
Bronze
French Empire Trumeau Mirror, Giltwood with Poppy Design, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) carved giltwood trumeau / wall mirror with painted upper panel of red poppies and flowers (signed).
Mirror, Giltwood
Classical Continental Hall Mirror, Circa 1810
Located in Sarasota, FL
Classical hall mirror with giltwood and bronze ornamentation. The top is decorated with a pierced bronze gallery. At the center, a domed oil on panel depicts a classical woodland sce...
Bronze